Sterilizing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sterilizing apparatus is disclosed. A sterilizing apparatus according to one embodiment comprises: a cover main body unit having an accommodation space formed therein so as to accommodate a device to be sterilized, wherein the accommodation space is open toward a bottom surface on which the device to be sterilized is disposed; an ultraviolet light emitting diode provided on a surface facing the bottom surface of the cover main body unit, and turned on so as to emit ultraviolet rays toward the accommodation space; a power supply unit for supplying power to the ultraviolet light emitting diode so as to turn on the ultraviolet light emitting diode; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the power supply unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/854,647, filed on Dec. 26, 2017, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/KR2016/006386, filed on Jun. 16, 2016,which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2015-0091036, filed on Jun. 26, 2015, and Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2015-0093744, filed on Jun. 30, 2015, and KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2016-0025592, filed on Mar. 3, 2016, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fullyset forth herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sterilizing apparatus using a UVlight emitting diode to perform sterilization by emitting UV lighttowards a sterilization target region.

Discussion of the Background

Generally, since various kinds of small devices used in contact with thehuman body, such as earphones, nail clippers, razors, and mobile phones,are stored in various places for user convenience, such as pockets,bags, the interior of vehicles, and the like, such small devices arelikely to contact many kinds of bacteria living in such places and arealways exposed to air and an environment into which bacteria floating inthe air can be easily introduced.

Therefore, although it is necessary to remove bacteria present in suchsmall devices used in contact with the human body, it is verytroublesome and, often, impossible to clean such small devices everytime using a detergent.

In addition, a sink drain provides a good environment for bacteria andmicroorganisms to reproduce. Therefore, if food is not frequentlyremoved from the sink drain and disinfection of the bacteria andmicroorganisms is not frequently performed, the bacteria andmicroorganisms will soon reproduce.

Although chemicals capable of suppressing propagation of bacteria andmicroorganisms have been released in the art in order to prevent anunclean environment of the sink drain, such chemicals causeenvironmental pollution. Moreover, since the chemicals are frequentlywashed off by water, it is necessary to frequently replace or replenishthe chemicals.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a sterilizingapparatus capable of easily and quickly removing bacteria on variouskinds of small devices, such as earphones, nail clippers, razors, andmobile phones, at home.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a drain capcapable of easily and quickly removing bacteria from a drain basin and afilter in a kitchen sink at home and having an ultraviolet sterilizingfunction.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a sterilizingapparatus having a simple and reliable waterproof structure and aUV-transmissive window protection structure.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a sterilizingapparatus capable of securing a sterilization region as much as possibleand having high sterilizing power.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a sterilizingapparatus provided with a safety apparatus which prevents UV light fromreaching any other space outside a sterilizing region in any case.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a sterilizingapparatus which can facilitate sterilization for various purposes.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a sterilizingapparatus including: a cover body having an accommodation space definedtherein to receive a sterilization target device, the accommodationspace being open towards a bottom surface on which the sterilizationtarget device is placed; a UV light emitting diode disposed at a side ofthe cover body facing the bottom surface and emitting UV light towardsthe accommodation space; a power supply supplying power to the UV lightemitting diode to turn on the UV light emitting diode; and a controllercontrolling the power supply.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a detection unit detectingmovement of the cover body, wherein the controller controls the powersupply based on a detection result of the detection unit as to movementof the cover body.

The detection unit may include a gyro sensor sensing a location of thecover body, and the controller may determine whether the cover body ismoved based on a detection result of the detection unit as to thelocation of the cover body and may control the power supply to stoppower supply to the UV light emitting diode when the cover body is movedaway from the bottom surface on which the sterilization target device isplaced.

The detection unit may include a photosensor disposed inside the coverbody and sensing light, and the controller may determine whether thecover body is moved based on a detection result of the detection unit asto light detection and may control the power supply to stop power supplyto the UV light emitting diode when the cover body is moved away fromthe bottom surface on which the sterilization target device is placed.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a switch for manipulatingoperation of the power supply, wherein the controller controls the powersupply in response to manipulation of the switch.

The cover body may include a cover plate having a plate shape and asidewall extending downward from a lower edge of the cover plate facingthe bottom surface, and the UV light emitting diode may be disposed on alower surface of the cover plate to be placed in an interior region ofthe cover body surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate andthe sidewall.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a reflector formed on thecover body and reflecting UV light emitted from the UV light emittingdiode towards the accommodation space.

The reflector may be formed by coating aluminum onto the interior regionof the cover body surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate andthe sidewall.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a timer for inputting atime for which the power supply supplies power to the UV light emittingdiode, wherein the controller may control a power supply time of thepower supply depending on a time set by the timer.

The UV light emitting diode may emit UV light having a peak wavelengthof 250 nm to 280 nm.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a visible light emittingdiode provided to the cover body and emitting visible light.

The visible light emitting diode may be turned on in association withturning on of the UV light emitting diode.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a sterilizingapparatus including: a cover body opening or closing a drain hole inwhich a drain basin and a filter are disposed; a UV light emitting diodedisposed at a side of the cover body facing the drain basin and thefilter and emitting UV light towards the drain basin and the filter; apower supply supplying power to the UV light emitting diode to turn onthe UV light emitting diode; and a controller controlling the powersupply.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a detection unit detectingwhether the drain hole is open or closed by the cover body, wherein thecontroller may control the power supply based on a detection result ofthe detection unit as to whether the drain hole is open or closed by thecover body.

The detection unit may include a gyro sensor sensing a location of thecover body, and the controller may determine whether the drain hole isopen or closed by the cover body based on a detection result of thedetection unit as to the location of the cover body and may control thepower supply to stop power supply to the UV light emitting diode whenthe cover body is placed to open the drain hole.

The detection unit may include a photosensor disposed inside the drainhole and sensing light, and the controller may determine whether thedrain hole is open or closed by the cover body based on a detectionresult of the detection unit as to light detection and may control thepower supply to stop power supply to the UV light emitting diode whenthe cover body is placed to open the drain hole.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a magnet member embeddedin the cover body, wherein the detection unit includes a sensor forsensing a magnetic flux of the magnet member, and the controller maydetermine whether the drain hole is open or closed by the cover bodybased on a detection result of the detection unit as to the magneticflux of the magnet member and may control the power supply to stop powersupply to the UV light emitting diode when the cover body is placed toopen the drain hole.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a switch for manipulatingoperation of the power supply, wherein the controller controls the powersupply in response to manipulation of the switch.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a handle for a user togrip the cover body, wherein the switch is disposed on the handle.

The cover body may include a cover plate having a plate shapecorresponding to a shape of the drain hole and a sidewall extendingdownward from a lower edge of the cover plate facing the drain basin andthe filter, and the UV light emitting diode may be disposed on a lowersurface of the cover plate to be placed in an interior region of thecover body surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate and thesidewall.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a reflector formed on thecover body and reflecting UV light emitted from the UV light emittingdiode towards the drain basin and the filter.

The reflector may be formed by coating aluminum onto the interior regionof the cover body surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate andthe sidewall.

At least one of the cover body and the sidewall may be formed with anair flow hole through which the interior region of the cover bodysurrounded by the lower surface and the side wall of the cover platecommunicates with an outside of the drain hole.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a timer for inputting atime for which the power supply supplies power to the UV light emittingdiode, wherein the controller may control a power supply time of thepower supply depending on a time set by the timer.

The UV light emitting diode may emit UV light having a peak wavelengthof 250 nm to 280 nm.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a visible light emittingdiode provided to the cover body and emitting visible light.

The visible light emitting diode may be turned on in association withturning on of the UV light emitting diode.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a sterilizingapparatus including: a housing having an outer surface facing asterilization target region; a cover body coupled to the housing todefine a space inside the housing; an irradiation opening formed in thehousing; a window member receiving portion disposed on an inner surfaceof the housing around the irradiation opening; a window member providedto the window member receiving portion; a step portion disposed at anedge of the window member receiving portion; a first O-ring disposed ona portion of the window member and the step portion; a compressionmember secured to the housing to press the first O-ring and having ahole concentrically aligned with the irradiation opening; and asubstrate on which a UV light emitting diode is mounted, the UV lightemitting diode being disposed inside the housing and emitting UV lightthrough the hole of the compression member and the irradiation opening.

The step portion may have substantially the same height as the windowmember received in the window member receiving portion.

The irradiation opening may have an irradiation opening-enlarged portionhaving a cross-section gradually widening from the inner surface of thehousing to an outer surface thereof.

The irradiation opening may have a circular shape and the first O-ringmay have an annular shape.

The window member may have a square shape.

The housing may include a first jaw formed on the inner surface thereofand supporting an outer circumferential surface of the first O-ring.

The compression member may be provided with a protruding jaw supportingan inner circumferential surface of the first O-ring.

A leading end of the protruding jaw may be separated from the windowmember by a predetermined distance.

The first O-ring may be formed of a ductile silicone material having ahardness of less than 30 with reference to a hardness of 0 to 100 andthe compression member may have higher hardness than the first O-ring.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include an additional elasticmember interposed between the window member and the window memberreceiving portion.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a second O-ring fittedinto a second O-ring receiving groove disposed outside the first jawwith respect to the irradiation opening, wherein the second O-ring maybe pressed by the compression member.

The second O-ring receiving groove may be disposed between the first jawand a second jaw disposed outside the first jaw with respect to theirradiation opening.

The substrate may be secured to the compression member.

The UV light emitting diode may emit UV light having a peak wavelengthof 260 nm to 280 nm.

The sterilizing apparatus may further include a detection unit detectinga location or posture of the sterilizing apparatus.

The detection unit may be placed at a location on the substrate exposedthrough the irradiation opening and the hole of the compression memberand may include an illuminance sensor.

The detection unit may be placed at a location on the substrate exposedthrough the irradiation opening and the hole of the compression memberand may include a distance sensor.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, thesterilizing apparatus can easily, quickly, and effectively removebacteria present in various types of small devices and sinks throughsimple on/off operation.

In addition, the sterilizing apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments can be manufactured in a small size and can easily sterilizea small device simply by covering the device placed on a bottom surfaceto secure easy carriage and use convenience.

Further, the sterilizing apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments allows UV irradiation only when all safety conditions aresatisfied, thereby further improving operation efficiency whileeffectively reducing a risk of occurrence of accidents and UV lightleakage.

Further, the sterilizing apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments can realize reliable waterproofing and a breakage preventionfunction of a fragile part even with a simple structure.

Further, the sterilizing apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments can further improve sterilization efficiency and can enlargea sterilization area.

Further, the sterilizing apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments can reduce UV exposure to the human body as much aspossible.

Further, the sterilizing apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiments can be used for various purposes and allow convenientsterilization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a multipurpose sterilizing apparatusaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the sterilizing apparatus according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating one example of use of theportable multipurpose sterilizing apparatus according to the embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are graphs depicting inactivation levels of E. colidepending upon UV irradiation time and irradiation amount of theportable multipurpose sterilizing apparatus according to the embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are graphs depicting inactivation levels ofStaphylococcus aureus depending upon UV irradiation time and irradiationamount of the portable multipurpose sterilizing apparatus according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an installation state of a drain cap having aUV sterilizing function according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the drain cap having a UVsterilizing function according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the drain cap having a UV sterilizingfunction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating one example of use of the drain caphaving a UV sterilizing function according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating another example of use of the drain caphaving a UV sterilizing function according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are graphs depicting inactivation levels of E. colidepending upon UV irradiation time and irradiation amount of the draincap having a UV sterilizing function according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are graphs depicting inactivation levels ofStaphylococcus aureus depending upon UV irradiation time and irradiationamount of the drain cap having a UV sterilizing function according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a sterilizing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled stateof a window member, a battery and a charging terminal in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled stateof a first O-ring and a second O-ring in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled stateof a compression member in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled stateof a substrate and a housing O-ring in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled stateof the sterilizer of FIG. 17, viewed from a different direction.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of a sterilizing apparatus.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 21.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are enlarged views of Part C of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a state in which the window member isplaced on the first O-ring.

FIG. 27 is a front view showing a state in which the sterilizingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention isoperable.

FIG. 28 is a graph showing a relationship between UV irradiation doseand sterilization rate after mixing E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43894) withwater and irradiating the mixture with UV light at differentwavelengths.

FIG. 29 is a graph showing a relationship between UV irradiation doseand sterilization rate after mixing B. subtilis spores (ATCC 6633) withwater and irradiating the mixture with UV light at differentwavelengths.

FIG. 30 is a graph showing a relationship between UV irradiation doseand sterilization rate after mixing B. MS2 phage (ATCC 15597-B1) withwater and irradiating the mixture with UV light at differentwavelengths.

FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are views illustrating other examples of use of thesterilizing apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the sterilizingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Itshould be noted that the drawings are not to precise scale and may beexaggerated in thickness of lines or size of components for descriptiveconvenience and clarity only. In addition, the terms used herein aredefined by taking functions of the present invention into account andcan be changed according to user or operator custom or intention.Therefore, definition of the terms should be made according to theoverall disclosure set forth herein.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a sterilizing apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of thesterilizing apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sterilizing apparatus 100 according tothis embodiment may include a cover body 110, a UV light emitting diode120, a power supply 130, a detection unit 140, and a controller 150.

The cover body 110 constitutes a main body of the sterilizing apparatus100 and has an accommodation space for a sterilization target 1 (seeFIG. 3) therein.

The cover body 110 is formed such that the accommodation space is opentoward a bottom surface B on which the sterilization target 1 is placed,and includes a cover plate 111 and a sidewall 113.

The cover plate 111 has a plate shape. Although the cover plate 111 isshown as a rectangular plate in this embodiment, it should be understoodthat the present invention is not limited thereto and the cover plate111 may have various shapes such as circular, triangular, and polygonalshapes depending on application thereof.

The sidewall 113 extends downward from an edge of a lower surface of thecover plate 111 facing the bottom surface B.

Thus, the cover body 110 including the cover plate 111 and the sidewall113 may be placed on the bottom surface B to provide an accommodationspace for the sterilization target 1 (FIG. 3) that is optically isolatedfrom the outside.

The UV light emitting diode (LED) 120 is disposed at a side of the coverbody 110 facing the bottom surface B and emits UV light toward theaccommodation space and the sterilization target 1 received in theaccommodation space.

In this embodiment, the UV light emitting diode 120 is disposed on thelower surface of the cover plate 111 to be placed in an interior regionof the cover body 110 surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate111 and the sidewall 113.

The UV light emitting diode 120 emits UV light having a peak wavelengthof 270 nm to 280 nm toward the accommodation space and the sterilizationtarget 1 received in the accommodation space and may include a pluralityof UV light emitting diodes such that a surface of the sterilizationtarget 1 received in the accommodation space can be evenly irradiatedwith UV light.

UV light having a peak wavelength of 270 nm to 280 nm, particularly UVlight having a peak wavelength of 275 nm, has high sterilizationefficacy.

In this embodiment, the UV light emitting diode 120 is configured toemit UV light having a peak wavelength of 275 nm, thereby enablingactive sterilizing action to occur in the accommodation space.

However, in order to provide an efficient level of sterilization, UVlight having a peak wavelength in the UVC region, particularly UV lighthaving a peak wavelength of about 250 nm to 280 nm, may be used.

The sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a reflector 160.

The reflector 160 is formed on the cover body 110 to reflect UV lightfrom the UV light emitting diode 120 toward the accommodation space andthe sterilization target 1 received in the accommodation space.

The reflector 160 may be formed by coating aluminum, which has high UVreflectance, onto an inner surface of the sidewall 113 of the cover body110 and the lower surface of the cover plate 111 to surround theaccommodation space. It should be understood that the reflector 160 maybe formed of any suitable material having high UV reflectance as well asaluminum.

Thus, the reflector 160 serves to reflect UV light from the UV lightemitting diode 120 toward the accommodation space and the sterilizationtarget 1 received in the accommodation space to focus the UV light onthe sterilization target 1 such that the sterilization target 1 can bemore effectively sterilized by the UV light.

The power supply 130 supplies electric power to the UV light emittingdiode 120 to turn on the UV light emitting diode 120.

The power supply 130 may be realized by a battery disposed inside thecover body 110. Alternatively, the power supply 130 may be realized byan external power source.

The detection unit 140 serves to detect movement of the cover body 110.

If the accommodation space is open to the outside or is not properlyclosed by the cover body 110, UV light emitted from the UV lightemitting diode 120 can escape to the outside of the cover body 110. Inorder to prevent UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode 120from escaping to the outside of the cover body 110, it is necessary tocheck whether the cover body 110 properly closes the accommodationspace.

For this purpose, the detection unit 140 is configured to obtaininformation about the location of the cover body 110 to check whetherthe cover body 110 properly closes the accommodation space.

In one example, the detection unit 140 may include a gyro sensor fordetecting the location, posture and the like of the cover body 110,without being limited thereto.

In another example, the detection unit 140 may include a photosensordisposed inside the cover body 110. When the cover body 110 covers thebottom surface B such that the accommodation space is surrounded andclosed by the cover body 110 and the bottom surface B, the inside of thecover body 110 is darkened. As a result, the detection unit 140 cancheck whether the cover body 110 properly closes the accommodation spaceby detecting whether the inside of the cover body 110 is shielded fromlight.

In a further example, the detection unit 140 may include a plurality oftrigger switches protruding from at least two portions of a lowersurface of the sidewall 113 to determine closure of the accommodationspace inside the cover body 110 depending upon whether the triggerswitches are depressed.

In addition, the detection unit 140 may include a combination of theaforementioned examples. For example, in a dark room, the location,posture and the like of the cover body 110 cannot be detected by thephotosensor; on an inclined bottom surface, whether the cover body 110closes the accommodation space cannot be accurately determined using thegyro sensor; and, on an uneven bottom surface, the trigger switchescannot function properly. In order to overcome these problems, thedetection unit 140 may include a combination of various sensors as setforth above.

The controller 150 controls operation of the power supply 130 to turnon/off the UV light emitting diode 120. In addition, the controller 150controls the power supply 130 to be operated depending upon thedetection result of the detection unit 140 detecting whether the coverbody 110 properly closes the accommodation space.

For example, the controller 150 may determine whether the cover body 110properly closes the accommodation space based on information about thelocation and posture of the cover body 110 detected by the detectionunit 140. If the cover body 110 is placed to open the accommodationspace, the controller 150 may control the power supply 130 such thatpower supply to the UV light emitting diode 120 can be stopped.

That is, the controller 150 may control the power supply 130 to supplypower to the UV light emitting diode 120 so as to turn on the UV lightemitting diode 120. In this operation, the controller 150 determineswhether the cover body 110 is open or closed based on the informationabout the location and posture of the cover body 110 detected by thedetection unit 140. If it is determined that the cover body 110 opens ordoes not properly closes the accommodation space, the controller 150 canstop irradiation with UV light through the UV light emitting diode 120by controlling the power supply 130 to stop power supply to the UV lightemitting diode 120.

The sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a switch 170.

The switch 170 is provided to control the power supply 130. In thisembodiment, the switch 170 is disposed at an upper portion of the coverbody 110, more specifically, on an upper surface of the cover plate 111,in order to allow easy manipulation of the switch 170 by a user.

Such a switch 170 may be provided to manipulate on/off operation of thepower supply 130 and the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 tobe turned on or turned off through manipulation of the switch 170.

The sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a timer 180.

The timer 180 is provided as a means for inputting a period of time forwhich the power supply 130 supplies power to the UV light emitting diode120, and the controller 150 can control a power supply time of the powersupply 130 according to the period of time adjusted by the timer 180.

For example, if the period of time input through the timer 180 is set to10 minutes, the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 to supplypower to the UV light emitting diode 120 such that the UV light emittingdiode 120 can be turned off after the UV light emitting diode 120 isturned on to emit UV light for 10 minutes.

The sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a visible light emitting diode 190.

The visible light emitting diode 190 is disposed near the UV lightemitting diode 120 inside the cover body 110, more specifically in aninterior region of the cover body 110 surrounded by the lower surface ofthe cover plate 111 and the sidewall 113.

With this structure, the visible light emitting diode 190 emits light inthe visible range at a location near the UV light emitting diode 120when the UV light emitting diode 120 is turned on, and is operated inconjunction with the UV light emitting diode 120.

Specifically, the visible light emitting diode 190 is turned on to emitlight in the visible range when the UV light emitting diode 120 isturned on to emit UV light, thereby providing a function of displayingUV irradiation through the UV light emitting diode 120.

With such operation of the visible light emitting diode 190, a user caneasily recognize that UV light is emitted through the UV light emittingdiode 120 and thus can be prevented from being continuously exposed toUV light not perceived by the user during irradiation with the UV lightemitted from the UV light emitting diode 120.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating one example of use of theportable multipurpose sterilizing apparatus according to the embodimentof the present invention; FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are graphs depictinginactivation levels of E. coli depending upon UV irradiation time andirradiation amount of the portable multipurpose sterilizing apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 are graphs depicting inactivation levels of Staphylococcus aureusdepending upon UV irradiation time and irradiation amount of theportable multipurpose sterilizing apparatus according to the embodimentof the present invention.

Next, operation and advantageous effects of the sterilizing apparatusaccording to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2to FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the sterilizing apparatus 100 accordingto this embodiment sterilizes a sterilizing target device, for example,a small device such as an earphone, a nail clipper, a mobile phone, andthe like, disposed on the bottom surface B, with the cover body 110covering the sterilizing target device so as to be received in theaccommodation space thereof, and the sterilizing operation of thesterilizing apparatus 100 is controlled by the controller 150.

The operation of the sterilizing apparatus 100 for sterilizing of thesterilization target device received in the accommodation space can bestarted by manipulating the switch 170 disposed on the upper surface ofthe cover body 110.

For example, when the sterilizing target device placed on the bottomsurface B is covered with the cover body 110 to be received in theaccommodation space and an operation signal is input through the switch170, the signal is transmitted to the controller 150, which in turnstarts to control the power supply 130 in response to the signal.

The detection unit 140 senses the location of the cover body 110 andobtains information about the location and posture of the cover body110, and the controller 150 determines whether the accommodation spaceis open or closed by cover body 110, based on the information about thelocation and posture of the cover body 110.

As a result, if it is determined that the accommodation space is closedby the cover body 110, the controller 150 controls the power supply 130to supply power to the UV light emitting diode 120, and if it isdetermined that the accommodation space is open or is not properlyclosed by the cover body 110, the controller 150 controls the powersupply 130 such that power is not supplied to the UV light emittingdiode 120.

As such, the operation of the UV light emitting diode 120 is controlledonly when the accommodation space is closed by the cover body 110,thereby preventing inefficient operation of the sterilizing apparatus100, reducing accident risk, and preventing UV light emitted from the UVlight emitting diode 120 from leaking to the outside of the cover body110 and providing a harmful effect on the human body.

In this way, when power is supplied to the UV light emitting diode 120through operation control of the controller 150, the UV light emittingdiode 120 is turned on to emit ultraviolet light toward thesterilization target device.

Here, the UV light emitting diode 120 emits UV light exhibiting strongsterilizing properties, for example, UV light having a peak wavelengthin the range of 270 nm to 280 nm, more preferably UV light having a peakwavelength of 275 nm.

In this way, operation of the detection unit 140 is continued duringoperation of the UV light emitting diode 120, and during this operation,if it is determined that the accommodation space is open or is notproperly closed by the cover body 110, based on the information aboutthe location and posture of the cover body 110 obtained by the detectionunit 140, the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 to stop powersupply to the UV light emitting diode 120, whereby the UV light emittingdiode 120 can be turned off to stop UV irradiation.

In addition, the UV light emitting diode 120 may be turned off when thepower supply time of the power supply 130 set by the timer 180 haselapsed, and whether the UV light emitting diode 120 is turned on or offcan be determined based on whether the visible light emitting diode 190is turned on or off.

That is, in the sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment,UV irradiation can be performed only when the operation signal is inputthrough the switch 170 in the state that the accommodation space isclosed by the cover body 110; power supply can be automaticallyinterrupted to stop UV irradiation when there is a risk of UV lightleakage due to instability of the cover body 110 during operation of thecover body 110 or when a preset period of time has elapsed; and whetherthe UV light emitting diode 120 is turned on to emit UV light can bedetermined based on whether the visible light emitting diode 190 isturned on.

The sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment allows UVirradiation only when the safety conditions described above aresatisfied, thereby further improving operation efficiency whileeffectively reducing accident risk and leakage of UV light.

On the other hand, UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode 120is directed to the sterilization target device received in theaccommodation space, thereby enabling sterilization on the surface ofthe sterilizing target device.

According to this embodiment, a plurality of UV light emitting diodes120 is provided to the sterilizing apparatus such that the entire regionof the sterilization target device can be irradiated with UV light, andthe reflector 160 is disposed to reflect UV light emitted from the UVlight emitting diodes 120 towards the accommodation space and thesterilization target device received in the accommodation space so as tofocus the UV light on the sterilization target device, thereby enablingactive sterilization over the entire region of the sterilization targetdevice.

As sterilization effects through sterilization using the sterilizingapparatus 100 according to this embodiment described above, it can beseen that inactivation of E. coli approached 99.9% on the sterilizationtarget device upon UV irradiation at a dose of about 5 mJ/cm² for about15 minutes and most of E. coli remaining on the surface of thesterilization target device was sterilized during sterilization throughUV irradiation (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).

In addition, it can be seen that inactivation of Staphylococcus aureusapproached 99.9% on the sterilization target device upon UV irradiationat a dose of about 7 mJ/cm² for about 20 minutes and most ofStaphylococcus aureus remaining on the surface of the sterilizationtarget device was sterilized during sterilization through UV irradiation(see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7).

The sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment allowsautomatic UV sterilization with respect to various kinds of smalldevices, such as earphones, nail clippers, mobile phones, and the like,through simple on/off operation, so that various bacteria remaining onsuch small sterilization target devices can be removed with highefficiency, thereby enabling easy, rapid and effective removal ofbacteria present on various types of small devices at home.

In addition, since the sterilizing apparatus 100 according to thisembodiment can be manufactured in a small size, the sterilizingapparatus 100 according to this embodiment is convenient to carry andprovides use convenience through easy sterilization of a small devicesimply by covering the small device placed on the bottom surface.

Further, the sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodimentallows UV irradiation only when various safety conditions, such asoperation of the switch 170, detection of the closed state of theaccommodation space through the detection unit 140, and operation timesetting through the timer 180, are satisfied, thereby further improvingoperation efficiency of the sterilizing apparatus while effectivelyreducing accident risk and leakage of UV light.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an installation state of a sterilizingapparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG.9 is a cross-sectional view of the drain cap having a UV sterilizingfunction according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.10 is a block diagram of the drain cap having a UV sterilizing functionaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, a sterilizing apparatus 200 according toanother embodiment is provided to a bottom of a wash basin 211 of a sink210 to open or close a drain hole 212 formed at the bottom of the washbasin 211.

In the drain hole 212, a drain basin 214 is disposed to connect thedrain hole 212 to a drainage pipe 213 and is provided with a filter 215that filters food residues or foreign substances remaining in the sewagedischarged through the drain hole 212.

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment is detachablyprovided to the wash basin 211 to open or close the drain hole 212 abovethe drain basin 214 and the filter 215, and may include light emittingdiodes 120, a power supply 130, a detection unit 140, and a controller150.

The cover body 110 constitutes a main body of the sterilizing apparatus200 according to the present embodiment, and opens or closes the drainhole 212, which is provided therein with the drain basin 214 and thefilter 215. The cover body 110 includes a cover plate 111 and a sidewall113.

The cover plate 111 is formed in a plate shape corresponding to theshape of the drain hole 212. In this embodiment, the drain hole 212 hasa circular shape and the cover plate 111 has a disk shape correspondingto the shape of the drain hole 212.

The sidewall 113 extends downward from a bottom edge of the cover plate111 facing the drain basin 214 and the filter 215.

In the cover body 110 including the cover plate 111 and the sidewall113, the sidewall 113 may be inserted into the drain hole 212, and thecover plate 111 may be coupled to the wash basin 211 to close the drainhole 212 by covering the drain hole 212 and may be separated from thewash basin 211 to open the drain hole 212.

However, the sidewall 113 is not necessarily inserted into the drainhole 212 and may be disposed such that a lower surface of the sidewall113 is placed on the bottom surface of the wash basin 211.

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a handle 115.

The handle 115 may protrude from an upper surface of the cover body 110,that is, an upper surface of the cover plate 111, such that a user cangrip the cover body 110. Thus, a user can easily open or close the drainhole 212 by grasping the handle 115.

The UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) 120 are disposed at a side of thecover body 110 facing the drain basin 214 and the filter 215, and isturned on to emit UV light towards at least one of the drain basin 214and the filter 215.

In this embodiment, the UV light emitting diode 120 is disposed on alower surface of the cover plate 111 so as to be placed inside the coverbody 110 surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate 111 and thesidewall 113.

An air flow hole (not shown) may be formed in at least one of the coverplate 111 and the sidewall 113.

The air flow hole forms a flow channel, through which the interior ofthe cover body 110 surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate111 and the sidewall 113 communicate with the outside of the drain hole212, such that moisture can be discharged from the drain hole 212therethrough, thereby suppressing influence of the moisture remaining inthe drain basin 214 and the filter 215 on the UV light emitting diode120.

The UV light emitting diode 120 is disposed to emit UV light having apeak wavelength of 270 nm to 280 nm towards the drain basin 214 and thefilter 215, and a plurality of such UV light emitting diodes 120 isarranged at constant intervals to uniformly emit UV light to theentirety of the drain basin 214 and the filter 215.

Among UV light, ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 270 nm to280 nm, particularly UV light having a peak wavelengths of 275 nm, hasan excellent sterilizing effect.

In this embodiment, the UV light emitting diode 120 is configured toemit UV light having a peak wavelength of 275 nm and sterilization canbe actively performed inside the drainage pipe 213 through operation ofthe UV light emitting diode 120.

However, in order to obtain an effective level of sterilization effect,UV light in the UVC range, particularly, UV light having a peakwavelength of about 950 nm to 280 nm, may be used.

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a reflector 160.

The reflector 160 is formed on the cover body 110 to reflect UV lightemitted from the UV light emitting diode 120 toward the drain basin 214and the filter 215.

The reflector 160 may be formed by coating the interior region of thecover body 110 surrounded by the lower surface of the cover plate 111and the sidewall 113 with aluminum or other coating materials havinghigh reflectivity with respect to UV light.

The reflector 160 reflects UV light emitted from the UV light emittingdiode 120 toward the drain basin 214 and the filter 215 to focus UVirradiation on the drain basin 214 and the filter 215, thereby enablingmore effective sterilization of the drain basin 214 and the filter 215.

The power supply 130 supplies power to the UV light emitting diode 120to turn on the UV light emitting diode 120.

The power supply 130 may be realized by a battery disposed inside thecover body 110 to supply power to the UV light emitting diode 120, ormay be realized by an external power source that supplies power to theUV light emitting diode 120 through the power supply 130.

The detection unit 140 is disposed to detect whether the drain hole 212of the cover body 110 is open or closed.

If the cover body 110 opens or does not properly close the drain hole212, UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode 120 can leakthrough the drain hole 212. Thus, in order to prevent UV light emittedfrom the UV light emitting diode 120 from leaking through the drain hole212, it is necessary to determine whether the cover body 110 properlycloses the drain hole 212.

To this end, the detection unit 140 can obtain information about thelocation of the cover body 110 in order to determine whether the coverbody 110 properly closes the drain hole 212.

In one example, the detection unit 140 may include a gyro-sensor thatsenses the location, posture, and the like of the cover body 110,without being limited thereto.

In another example, the detection unit 140 may include a photosensitivesensor disposed inside the drain hole 212. When the drain hole 212 iscovered by the cover body 110, the interior of the drain hole 212 isdarkened. Thus, the detection unit 140 can determine whether the coverbody 110 properly closes the drain hole 212 by sensing whether light isblocked inside the drain hole 212.

In a further example, the detection unit 140 may be realized by a magnetmember disposed inside the cover body 110 and a sensor disposed insidethe drain hole 212 to sense a magnetic flux of the magnet member, or bya sensor provided with a switch that can be pressed when the cover body110 is covered.

In yet another example, the detection unit 140 may be realized by atleast two triggers (not shown) protruding from the lower surface of thesidewall 113 so as to determine whether the drain hole 212 of the coverbody 110 is closed depending upon whether the trigger switches arepressed.

The controller 150 controls the power supply 130 such that the UV lightemitting diode 120 can be turned on or off. The controller 150 controlsthe power supply 130 depending upon a detection result of the detectionunit 140 as to whether the drain hole 212 of the cover body 110 is openor closed.

By way of example, the controller 150 may determine whether the drainhole 212 of the cover body 110 is open or closed based on informationabout the location and posture of the cover body 110 detected by thedetection unit 140. If the cover body 110 is placed to open the drainhole 212, the controller 150 may control the power supply 130 such thatpower supply to the UV light emitting diode 120 can be stopped.

That is, the controller 150 may control the power supply 130 to supplypower to the UV light emitting diode 120 so as to turn on the UV lightemitting diode 120. In this operation, the controller 150 determineswhether the drain hole 212 of the cover body 110 is open or closed basedon the information about the location and posture of the cover body 110detected by the detection unit 140. If it is determined that the coverbody 110 opens or does not properly close the drain hole 212, thecontroller 150 can stop irradiation with UV light through the UV lightemitting diode 120 by controlling the power supply 130 to stop powersupply to the UV light emitting diode 120.

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a switch 170.

The switch 170 is provided to control the power supply 130. In thisembodiment, the switch 170 is provided to the handle 115 in order toallow easy manipulation of the switch 170 by a user.

Such a switch 170 may be provided to manipulate on/off operation of thepower supply 130 and the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 tobe turned on or turned off through manipulation of the switch 170.

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a timer 180.

The timer 180 is provided as a means for inputting a period of time forwhich the power supply 130 supplies power to the UV light emitting diode120, and the controller 150 can control a power supply time of the powersupply 130 according to the period of time adjusted by the timer 180.

For example, if the period of time input through the timer 180 is set to10 minutes, the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 to supplypower to the UV light emitting diode 120 such that the UV light emittingdiode 120 can be turned off after the UV light emitting diode 120 isturned on to emit UV light for 10 minutes.

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a visible light emitting diode 190.

The visible light emitting diode 190 is disposed near the UV lightemitting diode 120 inside the cover body 110, more specifically in aninterior region of the cover body 110 surrounded by the lower surface ofthe cover plate 111 and the sidewall 113.

With this structure, the visible light emitting diode 190 emits light inthe visible range at a location near the UV light emitting diode 120when the UV light emitting diode 120 is turned on, and is operated inconjunction with the UV light emitting diode 120.

Specifically, the visible light emitting diode 190 is turned on to emitlight in the visible range when the UV light emitting diode 120 isturned on to emit UV light, thereby providing a function of displayingUV irradiation through the UV light emitting diode 120.

With such operation of the visible light emitting diode 190, a user caneasily recognize that UV light is emitted through the UV light emittingdiode 120 and thus can be prevented from being continuously exposed toUV light not perceived by the user during irradiation with the UV lightemitted from the UV light emitting diode 120.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating one example of use of thesterilizing apparatus according to this embodiment and FIG. 12 is asectional view illustrating another example of use of the sterilizingapparatus according to this embodiment. In addition, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14are graphs depicting inactivation levels of E. coli depending upon UVirradiation time and irradiation amount of the sterilizing apparatusaccording to this embodiment, and FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are graphsdepicting inactivation levels of Staphylococcus aureus depending upon UVirradiation time and irradiation amount of the sterilizing apparatusaccording to this embodiment.

Next, operation and advantageous effects of the sterilizing apparatusaccording to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10to FIG. 16.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the sterilizing apparatus 200according to this embodiment is disposed to open or close the drain hole212 at the bottom of the wash basin 211 and sterilizes the drain basin214 and the filter 215 inside the drain hole 212 in a closed state, andthe sterilizing operation of the sterilizing apparatus 200 is controlledby the controller 150.

The operation of the sterilizing apparatus 200 for sterilizing the drainbasin 214 and the filter 215 inside the drain hole 212 can be started bymanipulating the switch 170 disposed on the handle 115.

For example, when the drain hole 212 is closed by the cover body 110using the handle 115 and an operation signal is input through the switch170, the signal is transmitted to the controller 150, which in turnstarts to control the power supply 130 in response to the signal.

The detection unit 140 senses the location of the cover body 110 andobtains information about the location and posture of the cover body110, and the controller 150 determines whether the drain hole 212 isopen or closed by the cover body 110, based on the information about thelocation and posture of the cover body 110.

As a result, if it is determined that the drain hole 212 is closed bythe cover body 110, the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 tosupply power to the UV light emitting diode 120, and if it is determinedthat the drain hole 212 is open or is not properly closed by the coverbody 110, the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 such thatpower is not supplied to the UV light emitting diode 120.

As such, the operation of the UV light emitting diode 120 is controlledonly when the drain hole 212 is closed by the cover body 110, therebypreventing inefficient operation of the sterilizing apparatus 200,reducing accident risk, and preventing UV light emitted from the UVlight emitting diode 120 from leaking to the outside of the cover body110 and providing a harmful effect on the human body.

In this way, when power is supplied to the UV light emitting diode 120through operation control of the controller 150, the UV light emittingdiode 120 is turned on to emit ultraviolet light toward the drain basin214 and the filter 215.

Here, the UV light emitting diode 120 emits UV light exhibiting strongsterilizing properties, for example, UV light having a peak wavelengthin the range of 270 nm to 280 nm, more preferably UV light having a peakwavelength of 275 nm.

In this way, operation of the detection unit 140 is continued duringoperation of the UV light emitting diode 120, and during this operation,if it is determined that the drain hole 212 is open or is not properlyclosed by the cover body 110, based on the information about thelocation and posture of the cover body 110 obtained by the detectionunit 140, the controller 150 controls the power supply 130 to stop powersupply to the UV light emitting diode 120, whereby the UV light emittingdiode 120 can be turned off to stop UV irradiation.

In addition, the UV light emitting diode 120 may be turned off when thepower supply time of the power supply 130 set by the timer 180 haselapsed, and whether the UV light emitting diode 120 is turned on or offcan be determined based on whether the visible light emitting diode 190is turned on or off.

That is, in the sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment,UV irradiation can be performed only when the operation signal is inputthrough the switch 170 in the state that the drain hole 212 is closed bythe cover body 110; power supply can be automatically interrupted tostop UV irradiation when there is a risk of UV light leakage due toinstability of the cover body 110 during operation of the cover body 110or when a preset period of time has elapsed; and whether the UV lightemitting diode 120 is turned on to emit UV light can be determined basedon whether the visible light emitting diode 190 is turned on.

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment allows UVirradiation only when the safety conditions described above aresatisfied, thereby further improving operation efficiency whileeffectively reducing accident risk and leakage of UV light.

On the other hand, UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode 120is directed to the drain basin 214 and the filter 215, thereby enablingsterilization of the drain basin 214 and the filter 215.

According to this embodiment, a plurality of UV light emitting diodes120 is provided to the sterilizing apparatus such that the entire regionof the drain basin 214 and the filter 215 can be irradiated with UVlight, and the reflector 160 is disposed to reflect UV light emittedfrom the UV light emitting diodes 120 towards the drain basin 214 andthe filter 215 so as to focus the UV light on the drain basin 214 andthe filter 215, thereby enabling active sterilization over the entireregion of the drain basin 214 and the filter 215.

In another example, with the filter 215 removed from the drain basin214, UV light may be emitted towards the drain basin 214 to perform moreactive sterilization with respect to the drain basin 214 (see FIG. 12).

As sterilization effects through sterilization using the sterilizingapparatus 200 according to this embodiment described above, it can beseen that inactivation of E. coli approached 99.9% on the drain basin214 and the filter 215 upon UV irradiation at a dose of about 5 mJ/cm²for about 15 minutes and most of E. coli remaining on the drain basin214 and the filter 215 was sterilized during sterilization through UVirradiation (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 14).

In addition, it can be seen that inactivation of Staphylococcus aureusapproached 99.9% on the drain basin 214 and the filter 215 upon UVirradiation at a dose of about 7 mJ/cm² for about 20 minutes and most ofStaphylococcus aureus remaining on the drain basin 214 and the filter215 was sterilized during sterilization through UV irradiation (see FIG.15 and FIG. 16).

The sterilizing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment allowsautomatic UV sterilization with respect to the drain basin 214 and thefilter 215 disposed inside the drain hole 212 through simple on/offoperation, so that various bacteria remaining on the drain basin 214 andthe filter 215 can be removed with high efficiency, thereby enablingeasy, rapid and effective removal of bacteria present on the drain basin214 and the filter 215 of the sink 210 at home.

In addition, the sterilizing apparatus 100 according to this embodimentallows UV irradiation only when various safety conditions, such asoperation of the switch 170, detection of the closed state of the drainhole 212 through the detection unit 140, and operation time settingthrough the timer 180, are satisfied, thereby further improvingoperation efficiency of the sterilizing apparatus while effectivelyreducing accident risk and leakage of UV light.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a sterilizing apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is anexploded perspective view illustrating an assembled state of a windowmember, a battery and a charging terminal in FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is anexploded perspective view illustrating an assembled state of a firstO-ring and a second O-ring in FIG. 18, FIG. 20 is an explodedperspective view illustrating an assembled state of a compression memberin FIG. 19, FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view illustrating anassembled state of a substrate and a housing O-ring in FIG. 20, FIG. 22is an exploded perspective view illustrating an assembled state of thesterilizer of FIG. 17, viewed in a different direction, FIG. 24 is across-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 21, FIGS. 25A and 25Bare enlarged views of Part C of FIG. 24, FIG. 26 is a plan view showinga state in which the window member is placed on the first O-ring, andFIG. 27 is a front view showing a state in which the sterilizingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention isoperable.

Referring to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the sterilizing apparatus according tothis embodiment includes a housing 10 which receives various componentsfor sterilization; a cover body 110; and a holder 30 which holds thesterilizing apparatus. Four legs 32 of the holder 30 are placed on aflat floor, and the housing 10 and the cover body 110 are placed on theholder 30 to be secured thereto.

Referring to FIG. 17 and FIG. 27, in the sterilizing apparatus, thehousing 10 is a flat portion and has a circular shape, and the coverbody 110 has a curved shape and covers an upper portion of the housing10. A bottom surface (see FIG. 27) is an outer surface of the housing 10and faces a sterilizing target region. The housing 10 is provided at acentral portion thereof with an irradiation opening 11, through which UVlight emitted from a light source inside the cover body 110 is emitted.The cover body 110 is provided with a switch 170 for operating thesterilizing apparatus and a visible light emitting diode 190 fordetermining whether the sterilizing apparatus is operating.

First, a watertight structure and a window member protection structuredisposed around the irradiation opening 11 of the housing 10 will bedescribed. Referring to FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 24, a square-shapedwindow member receiving portion 12 is formed on an inner surface of thehousing 10 to enclose the irradiation opening 11 having a circularshape. A step portion 13 is formed around the window member receivingportion 12 to prevent a window member 40 fitted into the window memberreceiving portion 12 from moving to one side. The step portion 13 hassubstantially the same height as the window member 40 in a state thatthe window member 40 is received in the window member receiving portion12. When the heights of the step portion and the window member aresubstantially the same, a step is not formed between upper surfaces ofthe window member 40 and the step portion 13, whereby sealingtherebetween can be easily realized by placing a sealing member (firstO-ring described below) between the window member and the step portionto be brought into close contact therewith.

The window member 40 may be quartz or fused silica, which is a materialthrough which deep UV light emitted from a UV light emitting diodedescribed below can be transmitted.

Referring to FIG. 18, FIG. 19 and FIG. 24, a first O-ring 50 is placedon the step portion 13 and the window member 40 fitted into the windowmember receiving portion 12 to cover at least a gap between the windowmember and the step portion. The first O-ring 50 has an annular shape,in which an outer circumferential surface 51 of the first O-ring 50 hasa larger diameter than an outer circumference of the window member 40and/or an inner circumference of the step portion and an innercircumferential surface 52 of the first O-ring has a smaller diameterthan the window member 40 (see FIG. 26). Thus, when the first O-ring 50is placed on the step portion 13 and the window member 40 fitted intothe window member receiving portion 12, the gap between the windowmember and the step portion is shielded by the first O-ring 50.

As shown in the drawings, a first jaw 14 is formed outside a region inwhich the first O-ring 50 is placed, and regulates the location of thefirst O-ring 50. In addition, a second O-ring receiving groove 16 intowhich a second O-ring 56 is fitted is formed outside the first jaw 14and a second jaw 15 having substantially the same height as the firstjaw 14 is formed outside the second O-ring receiving groove 16. Thesecond O-ring receiving groove 16 receives the second O-ring describedlater. In this way, according to this embodiment, the sterilizingapparatus has a double-sealing structure in a path where waterpenetration is likely to occur, thereby securing waterproofcharacteristics. In particular, when the two jaws 14, 15 have the sameheight, the second O-ring can be more easily received and can beuniformly expanded without uneven distribution of compressive force whenthe second O-ring is pressed by a compression member described below.

Referring to FIG. 19, FIG. 20 and FIG. 24, the compression member 60 isformed in a shape of an annular flat plate, and includes a circular hole62 formed at the center thereof, a rib 61 formed at an outercircumference thereof to reinforce the compression member 60, and threefastening portions 66 formed at the outer circumference thereof andarranged at intervals of 120 degrees. A fastening screw (not shown)penetrates each of the fastening portions 66 and is screwed to an innersurface of the housing such that the compression member 60 is stronglypressed and secured to the inner surface of the housing 10.

Such a compressive force is transmitted to the first O-ring 50 and thesecond O-ring 56 such that an upper surface of the first O-ring isbrought into close contact with the compression member 60 and a lowersurface of the first O-ring is brought into close contact with the uppersurfaces of the window member 40 and the step portion 13. When the firstO-ring 50 is pressed, the first O-ring 50 is pushed by the pressure suchthat the outer circumferential surface 51 of the first O-ring 50 expandsin a direction of increasing the diameter thereof and the innercircumferential surface 52 thereof expands in a direction of decreasingthe diameter thereof. The outer circumferential surface 51 of the firstO-ring is prevented from expanding by the first jaw 14 and brought intoclose contact with the first jaw 14. On the other hand, the innercircumferential surface of the first O-ring is prevented from expandingby a protruding jaw 64 protruding in the direction of the window member,that is, downward, around the hole 62 of the compression member 60. Atthis time, a lower end of the protruding jaw 64 does not contact thewindow member 40 and is separated a certain distance from the windowmember to have a gap therebetween. Since the window member 40 can bedamaged due to intensive pressure from the protruding jaw 64 when theprotruding jaw 64 is brought into contact with the window member 40, apredetermined gap is required between the window member and theprotruding jaw. On the other hand, since the inner circumferentialsurface of the first O-ring can freely expand inwards in a structurewherein the compression member 60 does not include the protruding jaw64, adherence between the inner circumferential surface of the firstO-ring, the compression member and the window member can bedeteriorated. Accordingly, the protruding jaw 64 may be formed to have asufficient height to be uniformly pressed between the window member andthe first O-ring without applying intensive pressure to the windowmember in consideration of the material of the first O-ring and thelike. In other words, as the height of the protruding jaw is lowered,the possibility of applying the intensive pressure to the window memberbecomes higher, whereas uniformity of the pressure applied between thewindow member and the first O-ring is lowered. As the height of theprotruding jaw is increased, the possibility of applying the intensivepressure to the window member increases, whereas it is more advantageousto secure uniformity of the pressure applied between the window memberand the first O-ring. An optimal height of the protruding jaw may bedetermined so as to satisfy the above conditions in consideration of thematerial of the first O-ring and the gap between the protruding jaw andthe window member.

A cross-sectional area of the second O-ring 56 is set to be slightlylarger than a cross-sectional area defined by the second O-ringreceiving groove 16, the first jaw 14, the second jaw 15 and thecompression member. Thus, when the second O-ring is pressed by thecompression member, an outer surface of the second O-ring is broughtinto contact with the second O-ring receiving groove 16, the first jaw14, the second jaw 15 and the compression member under uniform pressure.

Among materials theoretically having a hardness of 0 to 100, the firstO-ring 50 is formed of a ductile silicone material having a hardness ofless than 30. If the hardness is greater than 30, there is a highpossibility that the intensive pressure is applied to a certain portionof the window member 40 to be damaged when the first O-ring is pressedby the compression member. It should be understood that the compressionmember may be formed of a material having a higher hardness than thefirst O-ring, such as ABS resins.

As shown in FIG. 25B, the compression member may further include anadditional elastic material 59 interposed between the window member 40and the window member receiving portion 12. The elastic material 59 hasan effect of eliminating a possibility of pressure concentration at aspecific portion between the window member and the window memberreceiving portion while improving a watertight effect through adherenceof the elastic member.

On the other hand, the hole 62 of the compression member 60 isconcentrically aligned with the irradiation opening 11 of the housing10. Both the hole 62 of the compression member and the irradiationopening 11 of the housing 10 have a circular shape. The innercircumferential surface of the first O-ring also coincides with thecenter of these holes and has a circular shape. This structure isprovided in consideration of an irradiation pattern of the lightemitting diode which emits light in the form of diffusing the light in aconical shape from a spot light source, and can cause the compressiveforce between the compression member 60 and the housing 10 to beuniformly distributed between the first O-ring 50 and the window member40 and can minimize an exposed area of the window member while securingas large a UV irradiation area as possible.

Alternatively, the window member 40 may have a square shape. With thisstructure, the window member can be easily manufactured and preventedfrom laterally moving or rotating in place when the location of thewindow member is restricted by the step portion 13. The shapes of thewindow member 40 and the first O-ring 50 have been described above withreference to FIG. 26.

Next, referring to FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 24 and FIGS. 25A and 25B, asubstrate 70 is secured to an upper surface of the compression member60. The substrate 70 is provided with fixing portions 76 at twolocations opposite to each other with respect to the center of thesubstrate and a fastening screw is screwed to a fixing portion 68 of thecompression member 60 through each of the fixing portions 76. Thelocations of the fixing portions 68 may be determined so as not tooverlap the locations of the fastening portions 66 of the compressionmember described above.

On the substrate 70, the UV light emitting diode 120 is mounted at alocation concentrically aligned with the irradiation opening 11 and thehole 62 while facing the irradiation opening 11 and the hole 62. By wayof example, the UV light emitting diode 120 may have an irradiationangle of 120 degrees. UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode120 is emitted to the outside after passing through the window member 40and the irradiation opening 11. As a result, a sterilization regionfacing the housing 10 is exposed to UV light. For example, theirradiation opening 11 may have a smaller diameter, such that at least50% of the amount of UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode120 can pass therethrough.

In order to secure the irradiation angle of the UV light emitting diodeas much as possible, the irradiation opening 11 may include anirradiation opening-enlarged portion 321, which has a cross sectiongradually widened toward the outside (see FIGS. 25A and 25B). Theirradiation opening-enlarged portion 321 may have a curved shape asshown in FIG. 25A or may have a tapered shape as shown in FIG. 25B. Withany shape, the irradiation opening-enlarged portion 11 secures anirradiation area (a) corresponding as much as possible to theirradiation angle of UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode,while securing an area for supporting the window member 40 as much aspossible. For example, in a structure wherein the irradiation opening 11does not include the irradiation opening-enlarged portion 11, thediameter of the irradiation opening 11 must be increased so as toincrease the irradiation area by a, thereby causing reduction in thearea of the window member receiving portion that supports the windowmember. In addition, since the diameter of the hole 62 of thecompression member 60 must be increased corresponding to increase in thediameter of the irradiation opening 11 (when the hole of the compressionmember has a smaller diameter than the irradiation opening, pressure isunevenly applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the window member,thereby increasing a possibility of damage to the window member), theunsupported area of the upper and lower surfaces of the window member 40is increased, thereby increasing the possibility of damage to the windowmember 40. However, according to this embodiment, the irradiationopening 11 is formed with the irradiation opening-enlarged portion 11,thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the window member 40 whilesecuring the irradiation region of UV light as much as possible.

By way of example, the UV light emitting diode 120 emits deep UV lighthaving a peak wavelength of 275 nm.

The UV light source used in the present invention is the UV lightemitting diode 120, which has high directionality in one direction. TheUV light emitting diode allows fine adjustment of the peak wavelength oflight emitted therefrom depending upon the proportion of componentsthereof. Therefore, efficiency of UV light can be increased through useof a UV light emitting diode configured to emit light having a peakwavelength most efficient for UV sterilization.

Generally, UV having a peak wavelength of 253 nm is known to have thehighest sterilizing power. However, as a result of actual experiments,it was confirmed that the most germicidal wavelength was 270 nm insterilization of bacteria contained in water.

FIG. 28 is a graph showing a relationship between UV irradiation doseand sterilization rate after mixing E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43894) withwater and irradiating the mixture with UV light at differentwavelengths. An initial concentration of bacteria contained in water was1.9 to 3.0×10⁵ cfu/mL. Experiments were performed under the sameconditions excluding the wavelength of UV light.

Experimental results showed a sterilization rate of 99% upon irradiationwith UV light having a wavelength of 270 nm at a dose of 1.4 mJ/cm²,which was much superior to UV light of other wavelengths.

FIG. 29 is a graph showing a relationship between UV irradiation doseand sterilization rate after mixing B. subtilis spores (ATCC 6633) withwater and irradiating the mixture with UV light at differentwavelengths.

Experimental results showed a sterilization rate of 99% upon irradiationwith UV light having a wavelength of 270 nm at a dose of 22 mJ/cm²,which was much superior to UV light of other wavelengths.

FIG. 30 is a graph showing a relationship between UV irradiation doseand sterilization rate after mixing B. MS2 phage (ATCC 15597-B1) withwater and irradiating the mixture with UV light at differentwavelengths.

Experimental results showed a sterilization rate of 99% upon irradiationwith UV light having a wavelength of 270 nm at a dose of 42 mJ/cm²,which was much superior to UV light of other wavelengths.

As a result of analysis of the experimental results, it was concludedthat DNA or RNA of bacteria or viruses contained in water could be moresensitive to UV light having a wavelength of 270 nm. Since most ofbacteria and viruses entering the body through food consumed by a persondepend on moisture of the food and a sink drain also has an environmentrich in food waste and water, it can be concluded that the aboveexperiments were performed under conditions sufficiently reflecting anactual region to be sterilized.

Consequently, it was confirmed that sterilization efficiency wasdecreased with increasing or decreasing wavelength from 270 nm.Accordingly, in the present invention, the UV light emitting diodeconfigured to emit UV light having a peak wavelength within the range ofabout 10 nm from 270 nm is used to improve sterilization efficiency withrespect to bacteria or microorganisms.

Although the sterilizing apparatus according to the embodiments employsthe UV light emitting diode 120 configured to emit UV light having apeak wavelength in a wavelength band slightly deviating from awavelength of 253 nm, which is the best absorption wavelength for humanDNA, UV light emitted from the UV light emitting diode 120 is stilldetrimental to humans. Therefore, there is a need for a safety devicefor allowing UV irradiation of the sterilizing apparatus only in thecase of sterilization.

As shown in FIG. 24, the sterilizing apparatus according to the presentinvention is provided with a plurality of detection units detectingdifferent factors. Since the sterilizing apparatus according to theembodiments can employ deep UV light, the sterilizing apparatus requiresa safety device which allows operation of the sterilizing apparatus forUV irradiation only when all environments measured by the plurality ofdetection units satisfy all conditions for use of the sterilizingapparatus.

For example, since the sterilizing apparatus according to theembodiments acts as a lid for covering the drain hole of the sink toblock external light (visible light), it can be defined that a regionwhere sterilization is performed is in a dark state. In addition, uponsterilization, the drain hole of the sink is placed to allow the outersurface of the housing to face in the direction of gravity. Further,upon sterilization of the drain hole, a front side of the sterilizingapparatus is not separated a distance of 20 cm or more (depth of thedrain hole) from the outer surface of the housing.

For measurement under such an environment, in the sterilizing apparatusaccording to the present invention, the detection unit 140 may be placednear the UV light emitting diode 120 mounted on the substrate 70. Thedetection unit 140 includes an illuminance sensor for detecting visiblelight entering the housing through the irradiation opening 11. Theilluminance sensor is provided to check whether the environment for useof the sterilizing apparatus is a dark environment.

However, this structure alone has limitations in guaranteeing a suitableenvironment for use of the sterilizing apparatus. For example, if thedark environment is obtained by turning off all lights in a room, theillumination sensor alone cannot guarantee the suitable environment foruse of the sterilizing apparatus.

Therefore, in the sterilizing apparatus according to the presentinvention, the detection unit 140 disposed on the substrate 70 mayfurther include a distance sensor (for example, an IR sensor). Thedistance sensor of the detection unit measures a distance of an objectin front of the outer surface of the housing through the irradiationopening 11. If the measured distance is greater than a referencedistance (the distance that the object is placed in front of the housingupon normal sterilization), it can be determined that the sterilizingapparatus is not in an environment suitable for use.

In addition, the sterilizing apparatus according to the presentinvention may further include a posture sensor (for example, a gyrosensor or a tilt sensor). Since the sterilizing apparatus according tothe present invention is used in the form of a lid, the housing of thesterilizing apparatus faces the floor under normal use conditions (seeFIG. 27) Therefore, if it is detected that the sterilizing apparatusdoes not face the floor, it can be determined that the sterilizingapparatus is not in the environment suitable for use.

According to the present invention, the substrate 70 may have a controlcircuit that enables power supply to the UV light emitting diode onlywhen all of conditions measured by the plurality of sensors formeasuring such various environments satisfy safety standards.

It should be noted that operation of turning on or off the UV lightemitting diode 120 is primarily controlled by the switch 170 and, evenwhen the switch 170 is switched on, power supply to the UV lightemitting diode 120 is interrupted in the case where all of theconditions measured by the plurality of sensors do not satisfy thesafety standards.

The sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention furtherincludes a visible light emitting diode 190 which is disposed near theswitch 170 and is connected in series to the UV light emitting diode tobe turned on or off together with the UV light emitting diode. Thevisible light emitting diode may be used to confirm, by the naked eye,whether the UV light emitting diode is turned on. In this way, when thevisible light emitting diode is connected in series to the UV lightemitting diode, the visible light emitting diode 190 and the UV lightemitting diode 120 are turned on or off at the same time. Accordingly, auser can conveniently determine whether the sterilizing apparatus isoperated by checking with the naked eye whether the visible lightemitting diode is turned on or off. In the structure wherein the visiblelight emitting diode is connected in series to the UV light emittingdiode, if either the UV light emitting diode or the visible lightemitting diode fails, both the UV light emitting diode and the visiblelight emitting diode do not operate when the visible light emittingdiode is not turned on due to failure of the visible light emittingdiode. Therefore, it can be ensured that the UV light emitting diodealso does not operate if the visible light emitting diode is not turnedon.

Sterilization may be performed by UV light or by removing moisture tocreate a dry environment. In the present invention, a far infrared lightsource may be further disposed on the substrate 70 to realize both UVirradiation and a drying function. The far infrared light source canfurther increase the sterilizing effect by drying a sterilization regionby emitting far infrared rays to the sterilization region through theirradiation opening 11.

Referring to FIG. 20 to FIG. 23, a housing O-ring 58 is press-fittedinto a housing O-ring receiving groove 18 formed along a contact portionbetween the housing 10 and the cover body 110 facing each other when thehousing 10 and the cover body 110 are fastened to each other. Asdescribed above, water tightness can be secured not only around theirradiation opening 11 but also at the contact portion between thehousing 10 and the cover body 110, thereby ensuring waterproofing of theinterior space in the housing 10 and the cover body 110 fastened to eachother. The sterilizing apparatus according to the present inventionrequires a sufficient degree of waterproofing to prevent water fromentering the sterilizing apparatus, for example, when tap water isaccidentally supplied to the sink.

In order to fasten the housing 10 to the cover body 110, a fasteningscrew (not shown) is fitted from the outer surface of the housing 10into the cover body 110, as shown in the drawings. Then, the fasteningscrew is screwed to the cover body through a fastening hole 380 of thehousing. In addition, a support member 80 is provided to the outersurface of the housing 10 on which the fastening hole 380 is formed. Thesupport member 80 is formed of, for example, a rubber-like elasticmaterial that can achieve both a slipping prevention effect and asealing effect, thereby prevent water from penetrating through thefastening hole 380 and allowing the sterilizing apparatus to bemaintained in place without slipping on a surface on which thesterilizing apparatus is placed.

In the present invention, a power source for operating the UV lightemitting diode may be supplied from the power supply 130 embedded in thesterilizing apparatus. For example, the power supply 130 is a secondarybattery. The power supply 130, the substrate 70, and the switch 170 areelectrically connected to one another inside the cover body 110 and thehousing 10. In addition, the power supply 130 is electrically connectedto a charging terminal 97. Here, the charging terminal 97 is a paththrough which power is supplied from an external power source to chargethe power supply 130. An inlet of the charging terminal 97 is exposed tothe outside of the cover body 110 and the housing 10 and a watertightcap is detachably fitted to the inlet of the charging terminal 97. Thus,during charge of the power supply 130, the charging terminal 97 may beconnected to an external power source after removing the watertight capfrom the inlet thereof. According to this embodiment of the presentinvention, the sterilizing apparatus has the structure wherein thecharging terminal is secured outside the housing O-ring 58 in order tosecure additional water tightness with respect to the interior regionbetween the cover body 110 and the housing 10 and a portion to beprotected from water on the charging terminal is covered by silicone, asshown in the drawings. With this structure, when water permeates towardsthe charging terminal not covered by the watertight cap, the water isprevented from entering the interior region between the cover body 110and the housing 10. Thus, there is no need to dry other componentsexcept the charging terminal.

The sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention may be usedin sterilization of various objects. For example, even the drain hole ofthe sink may have different specifications (diameters). In considerationof this point, the sterilizing apparatus according to the presentinvention includes an alignment protrusion 390 formed on the outersurface of the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 27. The sterilizingapparatus may include a plurality of alignment protrusions 390concentrically arranged on the outer surface of the housing 10 atlocations of different diameters r1, r2 with respect to the irradiationopening. The alignment protrusions may be provided in the form of anannular ring centered on the UV irradiation opening, a part of theannular ring, or a set of points located on the annular ring. Thesediameters r1 and r2 can be determined corresponding to the diameter of adrain hole of available sinks.

The sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention may also beused to sterilize the interior of each of various containers after beingplaced on a lid of the corresponding container. For example,sterilization may be performed after placing the sterilizing apparatusat an entrance of a cup or tumbler that is too deep for the hand of auser to reach into.

The sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention may furtherinclude a holder 30, as shown in the drawings. The holder has a hollowcylindrical shape having a low height and blocked at a side surfacethereof, and includes a vent hole 31 formed in a bottom surface and aplurality of legs 32 extending below the bottom surface to allow smoothcommunication with external air through the vent hole.

In order to dry and sterilize a scrubber after dish washing, thescrubber may be sterilized using the sterilizing apparatus after placingthe sterilizing apparatus on the holder 30, with the scrubber placedinside the holder 30. In addition, not only kitchen utensils such asscrubbers but also objects having a size to be received in the holdercan be sterilized using the sterilizing apparatus.

The sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention may also beused for sterilization not only of the drain hole of the sink but alsovarious other objects. For example, in sterilization of a tumbler 35 ora pot 38 which requires internal sterilization, the tumbler 35 or thepot 38 is covered by the sterilizing apparatus instead of a lid, asshown in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32.

Next, operation of the sterilizing apparatus according to the presentinvention will be described.

A user places the sterilizing apparatus on the holder 30 or puts it onthe floor and charges the power supply 130 by connecting an externalpower source thereto through the charging terminal 97. The degree ofcharge is indicated by a color of the visible light emitting diode 190.After charging the power supply, the sterilizing apparatus with thewatertight cap fitted into the charging terminal 97 is placed on a drainhole of a sink. At this time, the center of the sterilizing apparatuscan be efficiently aligned with the center of the drain hole by thealignment protrusions 390 protruding toward the floor, and thesterilizing apparatus is fixed in place by the support member 80 withoutslipping.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the sterilizingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When a user presses the switch 170, the control circuit on the substrate70 checks environmental measurement results of various sensors. That is,under conditions wherein illuminance of visible light measured by theilluminance sensor is lower than a reference value, an object isdetected within a predetermined distance from the irradiation opening bythe distance sensor, and the sterilizing apparatus emits UV light in thedownward direction (that is, the sterilizing apparatus is horizontallywell placed), power is supplied to the UV light emitting diode 120 bythe control circuit. When there is no abnormal operation of both the UVlight emitting diode 120 and the visible light emitting diode 190, thevisible light emitting diode 190 is also turned on together with the UVlight emitting diode 120, whereby a user can confirm whether thesterilizing apparatus is operating.

The sterilizing apparatus operates as a timer. For example, after poweris supplied to the UV light emitting diode for a sufficient period oftime for sterilization, the power source is interrupted again to turnoff the sterilizing apparatus. Experimental results showed that thesterilizing apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention secured 259.9% of sterilization even when the sterilizingapparatus was operated for about 30 to 40 minutes. When a time set bythe timer has elapsed, the visible light emitting diode 190 blinks. Thevisible light emitting diode may be turned off after blinking severaltimes, or may continue to blink until a user confirms that the time setby the timer has elapsed.

If the sterilizing apparatus is inadvertently struck or raised beforethe time set by the timer elapses, at least one of the sensors detectsthat the use environment is out of safety conditions and power supply isimmediately shut off. Of course, even in the case where the time set bythe timer time has not elapsed, the power supplied to the UV lightemitting diode is immediately shut off when a user switches off thesterilizing apparatus.

In this way, the sterilizing apparatus can improve quality of lifethrough sterilization around the drain hole of the sink by inhibitingreproduction of bacteria or fungi while removing odors. In addition,sterilization of other products can also be performed using the holderand the like by the method as described above.

Although some exemplary embodiments have been described herein, itshould be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodimentsare given by way of illustration only, and that various modifications,variations, and alterations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, althoughadvantageous effects provided by a certain configuration are not clearlydescribed in description of the exemplary embodiments, it should benoted that expectable effects of the corresponding configuration shouldbe acknowledged.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable sterilizing apparatus comprising: ahousing having an outer surface facing a target region and an innersurface opposite to the outer surface; a cover body having a portionwith a curved shape and coupled to the housing to define a space insidethe housing and cover an upper portion of the housing; an irradiationopening disposed on the inner surface of the housing to face the targetregion; a window member receiving portion disposed on the inner surfaceof the housing around the irradiation opening, the window memberreceiving portion surrounding the irradiation opening; a window memberreceived by the window member receiving portion; a light source disposedon a substrate in the housing and configured to emit light toward thetarget region through the irradiation opening; a power supply configuredto supply power to the light source to turn on the light source; adetection unit disposed over the substrate and configured to detectstatus of the cover body; and a control unit configured to control thepower supply based on a detection result of the detection unit, whereinthe irradiation opening has a diameter allowing at least 50% of thelight emitted from the light source to pass therethrough.
 2. Theportable sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisinga step portion disposed at an edge of the window member receivingportion and contacting with the window member, the step portionstructured to prevent a movement of the window member fitted in thewindow member receiving portion.
 3. The portable sterilizing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a compression member includinga hole formed at a center of the compression member, the holeconcentrically aligned with the irradiation opening.
 4. The portablesterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: anelastic member interposed between the window member and the windowmember receiving portion.
 5. The portable sterilizing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises anilluminance sensor for detecting visible light entering the housingthrough the irradiation opening and is configured to check whether thecover body is used in a dark environment.
 6. The portable sterilizingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a visible lightemitting diode disposed on the substrate and electrically connected inseries to the light source, the visible light emitting diode configuredto be turned on or off together with the light source.
 7. A portablesterilizing apparatus comprising: a housing having an outer surfacefacing a target region and an inner surface opposite to the outersurface; a cover body having a portion with a curved shape and coupledto the housing to define a space inside the housing and cover an upperportion of the housing; an irradiation opening disposed on the innersurface of the housing to face the target region; a window memberreceiving portion disposed on the inner surface of the housing aroundthe irradiation opening, the window member receiving portion surroundingthe irradiation opening; and a window member received by the windowmember receiving portion; an elastic member interposed between thewindow member and the window member receiving portion; and a lightsource disposed in the housing and configured to emit light through theirradiation opening, wherein the light source has a peak wavelength toinactivate at least one pathogen included in a target within the targetregion, wherein the irradiation opening has a diameter allowing at least50% of the light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough. 8.The portable sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising; a reflector including a material having a reflectivity toreflect the light emitted from the light source.
 9. The portablesterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irradiationopening has an irradiation opening-enlarged portion having across-section gradually widening along a direction away from the windowmember.
 10. The portable sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the light source is configured to emit the light at a dosebetween 5 mJ/cm2 and 20 mJ/cm2 to inactivate a pathogen including E.Coli that is included in a target within the target region.
 11. Theportable sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lightsource is configured to emit the light at a dose between 7 mJ/cm2 and 20mJ/cm2 to inactivate a pathogen including Staphylococcus aureus that isincluded in a target within the target region.
 12. The portablesterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source isconfigured to emit the light having a peak wavelength having a rangebetween 270 nm and 280 nm.
 13. The portable sterilizing apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the light source is configured toinactivate at least one of i) E. coli, ii) Staphylococcus aureus, iii)E. coli O157:H7, B. subtilis spores, or iv) B. MS2 phage and the peakwavelength of the light source is determined based on the at least onepathogen to be inactivated.
 14. The portable sterilization apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the light source is configured to emit thelight having a peak wavelength having a range between 270 nm and 280 nm.15. The portable sterilizing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein thehousing further includes a substrate disposed on the internal surface ofthe housing and a detection unit disposed over the substrate andconfigured to detect a condition of the cover body.
 16. The portablesterilizing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cover bodyincludes an operating switch to start or stop an operation of thesterilizing apparatus.
 17. The portable sterilizing apparatus accordingto claim 7, wherein the window member includes material through whichdeep UV light emitted from the light source is transmitted.
 18. Theportable sterilizing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:a step portion disposed at an edge of the window member receivingportion and contacting with the window member, the step portionstructured to prevent a movement of the window member fitted in thewindow member receiving portion.
 19. The portable sterilizing apparatusaccording to claim 18, further comprising: a sealing element placed onthe step portion and having an outer circumferential surface having alarger diameter than that of the window member.
 20. The portablesterilizing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the irradiationopening has an irradiation opening-enlarged portion having across-section gradually widening along a direction away from the windowmember.